Hi Gordon,
What a great review of iFi Audio’s Neo iDSD DAC-preamp-headphone amp! I’m currently thinking about adding a DAC to my Bluesound Node 2i. I’m currently using the Node 2i’s internal DAC, and wondering if the Neo iDSD would be a significant upgrade. The rest of my system comprises an Audia Flight Three S integrated amplifier, Monitor Audio Gold 100 speakers, XLO Reference speaker cables, AudioQuest power cords, and a PS Audio power conditioner. I’d really like to know how far the sound quality would jump if I purchased this DAC.
Thank you for your great reviews, and keep up the great work.
Gerald Greene
Canada
Hi Gerald,
Thanks for writing, and thanks for your kind words. That sounds like a really nice system you have. The short answer to your question is yes, I think the Neo iDSD would be an upgrade over the built-in DAC of the Bluesound Node 2i. I’ve never compared the two, but based on my comparisons of the Neo iDSD with the NAD C 658 streaming DAC-preamp (which I use in my current system), and the C 658 with the Bluesound Node 2i (which I previously owned), I think that adding the Neo iDSD would deliver a ballsier, more dynamic sound, as well as a quieter background and improved microdetail. Of course, I can’t be certain about this, never having directly conducted the comparison myself.
Best regards,
Gordon Brockhouse